Even if you've never been to
New York City, there's a good chance you've heard about Midtown Manhattan, the Upper East Side, or Wall Street. These are some of the most popular neighborhoods in the city that have also been featured in movies, TV series, or shown off online. Then there's Brooklyn, another New York City borough that's becoming as busy and bustling as Manhattan. One of the best ways to get to know the place better is to discover its best areas, which include Brooklyn Heights, Downtown Brooklyn, Bedford Stuyvesant, Williamsburg, and Bushwick, among many others.
Bedford Stuyvesant
Bedford Stuyvesant remains one of the most vibrant
neighborhoods in New York, not just in Brooklyn but in the entire city. For one thing, the area is known as the bedrock of various industries. The most famous is hip-hop since this is also where iconic artists like Jay-Z and The Notorious BIG came from. The former even started a housing project to improve Bedford Stuyvesant, which in turn made it a more covetable area for other professionals. Hence, the district is also where you'll find countless foodie spots, from hipster cafes to mom-and-pop restaurants and beyond.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Andre Carrotflower
Brooklyn Heights
You may be right to think that Manhattan is the most upscale
New York City borough, Brooklyn Heights is out here to prove otherwise. With mansions and luxury townhouses in the area, as well as elite private schools where families send their kids, this neighborhood is perhaps Brooklyn's answer to the Upper East Side. Naturally, this also makes Brooklyn Heights one of the safer districts in a borough that often gets flack for its more dangerous areas. Brooklyn Heights is fortunately far from dangerous, so much so that many wealthy New Yorkers are choosing to live here instead of in Manhattan.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Michelb101
Bushwick
Bushwick is the hipster haven that the rest of the city considers Brooklyn to be. The borough has garnered a reputation for housing the city's bohemians, creatives, artists, and rebels and they all seem to be living in this district. Here, they've transformed warehouses into art studios, ateliers, and even some of the more unique
luxury apartments in New York City. Its commercial, culinary, and nightlife scenes also evoke the same sort of vibrance. Cool cafes that serve organic treats and underground galleries that display street art make up Bushwick's urban energy. What's not to love?
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Noremacmada
Cobble Hill
Cobble Hill is perhaps the Brooklyn neighborhood that best represents what the New York City borough is all about. The district maintains a nice balance between its commercial district and residential area. On one end, Cobble Hill is all about its lovely residences where families, married couples, and young professionals live. On the other is Court Street, the neighborhood's main artery, which is lined with crowded cafes, chic restaurants, and bustling bars at night. This is the kind of place where people can live relatively peacefully in one area and walk a little bit to get in the middle of the hustle and bustle in another.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Michelb101
Downtown Brooklyn
You'd think that Downtown Brooklyn would better reflect the sprawling metropolis that New York City is known for and for the most part, it is. The area has high-rise condo buildings, a bustling business hub, and a flurry of popular hotspots, among many others. With that said, however, Downtown Brooklyn is also known for its many schools. The New York City College of Technology, Long Island University, St. Francis College, Brooklyn Law School, and the NYU Tandon School of Engineering are just some of the academic institutions located here. These two different sides make Brooklyn's Downtown area one of the best places to live for anyone, especially students,
moving to New York City.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Kidfly182
Dumbo
Much like Bushwick, Dumbo also reflects the hipster scene of New York City. There are warehouses-turned-luxury lofts, independent boutiques run by local designers, some of New York's best vintage stores, and unique restaurants that you won't find anywhere else. It's a mish-mash of low-brow and high-end hotspots that takes elements of the city's upper-class and underground scene. Hence, this makes Dumbo another of the best places for anyone who wants to live the ideal cosmopolitan life in New York City. The hit HBO show “Sex and The City” may have shown that Manhattan is the coolest borough to be, but Dumbo helps Brooklyn put up a fight.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Kidfly182
Greenpoint
Though it's best known for its massive Polish-American community, Greenpoint is yet another hipster haven of a neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York. Its underground galleries and bustling bars give it that bohemian blush, drawing in locals and tourists alike who want to experience the city's many sub-cultures and hidden scenes. Naturally, Greenpoint has its fair share of converted warehouses too, many of which were transformed into luxury loft apartments inhabited by the borough's wealthier residents. Still! Don't forget about the Polish-American shops that make up Greenpoint's cultural identity too. These are part of what makes the area among the most unique in the entire city.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Jim.henderson
Williamsburg
If there's one neighborhood that truly embodies what Brooklyn, New York is all about, it's Williamsburg. It's a mix of everything that makes the borough a great place to live. Is there a treasure trove of fabulous luxury apartments in New York? Yup! Are there plenty of hotspots that are perfect for a lively night out? Yup! And does it evoke a bustling city feel? Definitely! Instead of a simple mish-mash of low-brow and high-end spots, Williamsburg is more of a harmonious cluster of various identities, cultures, and vibes. You couldn't have asked for a more exciting place to live.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Jaspermaz
Want to know why Brooklyn, New York City is one of the coolest places in the world? It's all about its best neighborhoods. Discover the borough's best areas and get lost in their colorful culture and open diversity.
